Should I call off work for a sore throat? A complete guide to making the right choice

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one report, roughly 90% of people admit they still go to work even when battling an illness. However, a persistent scratchy feeling can leave you wondering, should I call off work for a sore throat? The answer depends on several key factors, including the cause of the soreness, your other symptoms, and your work environment.

Quick Summary

This article explains how to determine if a sore throat warrants a sick day by assessing its potential cause, associated symptoms like fever or cough, and the risk of infecting coworkers. Factors such as job type and underlying health conditions are also explored.

Key Points

Assess for contagiousness: First, determine if your sore throat is caused by a contagious infection (like a cold, flu, or strep) or a non-contagious irritant (like allergies or dry air).
Check for other symptoms: A sore throat accompanied by a fever, body aches, vomiting, or excessive coughing indicates a contagious illness that requires a sick day.
Rest is crucial: Pushing through a contagious illness can prolong your recovery and put coworkers at risk. Prioritize rest to heal faster and prevent spreading germs.
Consider your workplace: If your job involves interaction with vulnerable populations (elderly, children, immunocompromised) or food handling, it is especially critical to stay home with any signs of contagious illness.
Know when to see a doctor: A sore throat with a high fever, a rash, difficulty swallowing, or white patches on your tonsils could indicate strep throat or another serious condition that needs professional medical attention.
Manage non-contagious causes at work: If your sore throat is due to allergies, dry air, or vocal strain, you can often manage symptoms at work with hydration, lozenges, and vocal rest, provided you feel otherwise well.

A sore throat is a common ailment that can range from a minor annoyance to a debilitating symptom. Deciding whether to take a sick day involves weighing your own health needs against the potential risk of spreading illness in the workplace. Understanding the root cause of your sore throat is the first and most critical step in making this decision.

Is your sore throat contagious?

Not all sore throats are caused by infectious agents, and knowing the difference is key to deciding whether to stay home. Sore throats caused by viruses (like the common cold, flu, or mononucleosis) and bacteria (like strep throat) are highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets. In contrast, sore throats caused by irritants are not contagious.

Contagious causes

Viral Infections: These are the most common cause of sore throats and often accompany other symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. For example, the flu can be spread for 5 to 7 days from the onset of symptoms, sometimes longer.
Bacterial Infections (e.g., Strep Throat): Strep throat is caused by Streptococcus bacteria and is highly contagious. It requires antibiotic treatment, and you are no longer contagious after 24 hours of starting medication. Other symptoms include fever, painful swallowing, and tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth.
Other contagious illnesses: Infectious mononucleosis, whooping cough, and hand, foot, and mouth disease can also cause a sore throat and require time away from work to prevent spreading.

Non-contagious causes

Allergies: Postnasal drip from allergic reactions can cause throat irritation that feels like a sore throat. Since allergies are not contagious, they typically do not require a sick day unless symptoms are severe enough to hinder your work performance.
Environmental Factors: Dry air from heating or air conditioning can cause a scratchy throat, especially if you breathe through your mouth while sleeping. Air pollution or secondhand smoke can also irritate the throat.
Vocal Strain: Yelling, singing loudly, or talking excessively can strain your vocal cords and lead to a sore throat. This is not contagious and often resolves with vocal rest.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus can cause a burning sensation in the throat.

When is it necessary to stay home from work?

Beyond a sore throat, accompanying symptoms are often the best indicators for whether you should stay home. Consider the following signs:

Fever: A fever is a clear sign your body is fighting off an infection and is often accompanied by chills and body aches. You should stay home until you've been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Excessive Coughing or Sneezing: If you have a persistent, uncontrolled cough or are sneezing frequently, you are actively spreading respiratory droplets and should stay home to protect your colleagues.
Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea: These are definitive symptoms of a contagious illness and require you to stay home. You should not return to work until these symptoms have completely resolved.
Fatigue and Malaise: If you feel too exhausted or weak to be productive, your body needs rest to recover. Pushing through severe fatigue can prolong your illness.

How to manage a mild sore throat at work

If you have a non-contagious sore throat or a very mild, non-debilitating one without other symptoms, you may be able to manage it at work. The key is to prioritize self-care to avoid worsening the condition.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and warm, soothing liquids like herbal tea with honey to keep your throat moist.
Use Lozenges: Over-the-counter throat lozenges or sprays can temporarily numb the throat and provide relief from irritation.
Gargle with Salt Water: A simple saltwater gargle can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times a day.
Take it Easy: If vocal strain is the cause, rest your voice as much as possible throughout the day.

Sore throat symptom comparison


Symptom	Often Associated With	Action
Sore Throat ONLY	Allergies, dry air, vocal strain	May be manageable at work. Monitor for other symptoms.
Sore Throat + Fever	Viral or bacterial infection (cold, flu, strep)	Stay home. You are likely contagious.
Sore Throat + Fatigue/Aches	Viral infection (cold, flu)	Stay home to rest and recover.
Sore Throat + White Patches on Tonsils	Bacterial infection (Strep Throat)	See a doctor. Stay home until treated and fever-free for 24 hours.
Sore Throat + Difficulty Swallowing	Strep throat, severe infection	See a doctor. Requires a sick day.
Sore Throat + Heartburn	GERD	May not require a sick day, but see a doctor for treatment if persistent.

Conclusion

The decision of whether to take a sick day for a sore throat hinges on a clear evaluation of your symptoms, potential contagiousness, and job duties. A simple, isolated sore throat may not be reason enough to miss work, especially if caused by non-infectious factors. However, if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever, significant fatigue, or other signs of a contagious illness, staying home is the responsible and necessary choice for both your recovery and the health of your colleagues. By listening to your body and considering the well-being of those around you, you can make an informed decision that benefits everyone involved.

For additional guidance on general health and illness prevention, refer to reliable sources like the CDC.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. A sore throat caused by non-contagious issues like allergies, dry air, or vocal strain may not require a sick day. However, if it is a symptom of a viral or bacterial infection, it's best to stay home to rest and avoid spreading the illness.

The most common contagious causes are viruses (like the common cold or flu) and bacteria (like strep throat). A sore throat is more likely contagious if it's accompanied by symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, or body aches.

You should see a doctor if your sore throat is severe, lasts longer than a week, or is accompanied by a high fever, difficulty swallowing, a rash, or white patches on your tonsils.

A sore throat from a common cold is typically most contagious in the first few days, starting even before symptoms appear and lasting for a week or two. You are most infectious when your symptoms are at their worst.

If you are able to work remotely and your throat is the only issue, working from home can be a good option. This allows you to rest while avoiding the risk of infecting others, which is particularly important if your symptoms are contagious.

If diagnosed with strep throat, you should not return to work until you have been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours. This is because the infection is highly contagious until treatment has had time to take effect.

Yes. Your job's nature is a crucial factor. If you work in healthcare, food service, or have contact with the public or vulnerable individuals, you should be more cautious and stay home to prevent spreading illness.